Person:Raghnall mac Somhairle (1)

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Ragnall mac Somairle (also known in Gaelic as Raghnall, Raonall, Raonull; in English as Ranald, Reginald; in Latin as Reginaldus; and in Old Norse as Rögnvaldr, Røgnvaldr, Rǫgnvaldr; died 1191/1192–/1227) was a significant late twelfth century magnate, seated on the western seaboard of Scotland. He was probably a younger son of Somairle mac Gilla Brigte, Lord of Argyll and his wife, Ragnhildr, daughter of Óláfr Guðrøðarson, King of the Isles. The twelfth-century Kingdom of the Isles, ruled by Ragnall's father and maternal-grandfather, existed within a hybrid Norse-Gaelic milieu, which bordered an ever strengthening and consolidating Kingdom of Scots.

In the mid twelfth century, Somairle rose in power and won the Kingdom of the Isles from his brother-in-law. After Somairle perished in battle against the Scots in 1164, much of his kingdom was probably partitioned between his surviving sons. Ragnall's allotment appears to have been in the southern Hebrides and Kintyre. In time, Ragnall appears to have risen in power and became the leading member of Somairle's descendants, the meic Somairle (or Clann Somairle). Ragnall is known to have styled himself "King of the Isles, Lord of Argyll and Kintyre" and "Lord of the Isles". His claim to the title of king, like other members of the meic Somairle, is derived through Ragnhildr, a member of the Crovan dynasty.

Ragnall disappears from record after he and his sons were defeated by his brother Áengus. Ragnall's death-date is unknown, although certain dates between 1191 and 1227 are all possibilities. Surviving contemporary sources reveal that Ragnall was a significant patron of the Church. Although his father appears to have aligned himself with traditional forms of Christianity, Ragnall himself is associated with newer reformed religious orders from the continent. Ragnall's now non-existent seal, which pictured a knight on horseback, also indicates that he attempted to present himself as an up-to-date ruler, not unlike his Anglo-French contemporaries of the bordering Kingdom of Scots.

Ragnall is known to have left two sons, Ruaidrí and Domnall, who went on to found powerful Hebridean families. Either Ragnall or Ruaidrí had daughters who married Ragnall's first cousins Rǫgnvaldr and Óláfr, two thirteenth-century kings of the Crovan dynasty.

-1164 mentioned in the Orkneyinga Saga, held possessions in Dalir, on Scotlands Firth. Styled by the Chronicle of Man "Regulus Herergaidel" - ruler of Argyle - Thane of Argyll. He was born ca.1100 and in 1140 married to Ragnhilda [the daughter of Olaf Bitling, King of the Sudreyar (Hebrides and Man) and of Ingibiorg, daughter of Hakon Earl of Orkney (ca.1122)]. Other sources call her Aufrica or Elfrica daughter of Olaf the Swarty (probably the name was mixed up with Olaf's mother). Their sons were King Dufgall (Dugald), Rögnvald (Reginald) and Engull (Angus). From Reginald sprang the MacRories (from his son Ruari ,+1268, from whom sprang Amie MacRuari, wife of Good John, 7th chief) and MacDonalds of the Isles. From Dugald whom Somerled tried to establish as King of Man and the Isles sprang the Clan Dugall of Lorne and from Angus the Clan Angus and so the Stewart kings. The name "Sumarlidhi" means "mariner". They were called "the Dalverja family". The Chronicle of Man states that the marriage with Ragnhild was the cause of the ruin of the monarchy of the Isles. He was killed at Renfrew on 01.01.1164, (having landed there with a fleet of 160 galleys) by Swein Asleif's son in the attempt to make a conquest of Scotland. The royal troops were led by Walter Fitzalan, progenitor of the Stewarts and an associate already of King David I. The battle is commemorated by Barochan Cross, an ancient stone cross which stands near the site of the battle. He gave one of his daughters in marriage to Wimund, the pretended Earl of Moray, (who invaded Scotland in 1114.) On the death of King David I., Somerled, accompanied by the children of Wimund, landed with a great force in Scotland, 5th November 1153, in order to revenge the wrongs done to his son-in-law. From other sources we learn that Ex-Bishop Wimund, alias Malcolm MacHeth, was brother in law of Somerled, called Earl of Moray by the Orkneyinga Saga. He attempted to gain possession of the Crown of Scotland, pretending to be a son of Angus MacHeth, son of a daughter of Lulach, who was a son of Queen Gruoch and Macbeth MacFinlay. Somerled continued hostilities against King David I. and joined the party against Malcolm IV. (the maiden), when the attempt was made to place William Odling, the Boy of Egremont on the throne. Malcolm MacHeth, anyhow, was released by Malcolm the Maiden and received from the generous young king the sovereignty of a portion of the ancient kingdom of Cumbria. But his tyranny was such that his subjects revolted, took him prisoner, put out his eyes, and confined him in the monastery of Bellaland (Byland/Yorkshire). Before Somerled became Rí Innse Gall - the Ruler of the Isles of the Norsemen - he was Rí Airir Goidel - the Ruler of the Coastland of the Gael - Lorn in Argyll, Mull, Tiree and Coll. Neither his marriage to Ragnhild, nor his own Norse blood prevented him from resisting Norse encroachment. Having successfully driven the Norsemen out of Lochaber, Morvern and Northern Argyll in 1156. He decisively defeated his wife's brother Godfred, by this time King of Man in a great sea battle off the island of Islay in 1158 and tried to establish his son Dugall as King of the Isles. In 1164, he again invaded Scotland with a mighty force, landing at Renfrew. He was withstood with great slaughter. Somerled, and his son, Gillecolane, were slain. 2 RÖGNVALD

   Macgilbred 
   (Ronald or Reginald) 1164 

-1228 King of Man and the Isles, son of Somerled, married to Fonia (Fiona?), from his son Ruairi (+1268) sprang the Clan Macruari, or MacRory, whose heiress, Amie, was as first wife married to Good John MacDonald, 7th Chief. The Clan Ruairi became Lords of Gamoran, stretching from Knoydart to Moidart on the Mainland and including the islands of Eigg and Rhum, to which were later added Barra,Uist and St Kilda. It must have been him or a brother of his who was married to Saucy Mary, who built Caisteal Maol near Caol Akin - Isle of Skye. Rögnvald paid homage to King John of England and Henry III of England and visited England for several times, he even became liegeman to King John, against all mortals, and took the oath of fidelity, 16th May 1212. He died in or after 1228. His Son Olaus (Olaf) became King of Man and the Isles.

Lord of the Isles Reginald mac Somerled of the Isles also went by the name of Reginald "the Usurper." He acquired the Isles on the death of his brother, Dugall, rather than Dugall's children, and in consequence assumed the title King of the Isles.1 He was born circa 1148 in Morven, Argyleshire, Scotland. The second son of the 2nd wife.1 He was the son of King of the Isles Somerled mac Gillebride and Ragnhildis Ólafsdóttir.2 He inherited Isla and Kintyre, and co-rule of Arran with his brother Angus in 1164 in Scotland.1 King of Man in 1164. Lord of the Isles in Scotland, between 1164 and 1210.2 He was the first to be styled "Lord of the Isles" in an authentic document, his charter to the monastery of Paisley.2 He married Fonia of Moray before 1174. He died in 1207.3,4

1. ↑ Raghnall mac Somhairle, in Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia.